Make sure you have a spare!

No, not on the threads! The bolts (including the tapered surface of the heads) should always be kept clean and free from grease. The reason behind this is friction: If you lower the friction in the thread and below the bolt head, the mounting torque of 120 Nm will result in much higher stress in the bolt (in axial direction). This leads to damaged threads, and can ultimately lead to failure of the bolt (although this is not as likely to happen with the VAG M14 bolts, but more likely with Renault, who prescribe the same 120 Nm for an M12 bolt).

From the manual of the S2FL:

WARNING
Observe the following information regarding the wheel bolts.

• The wheel bolts must be clean and must turn easily. Never apply grease or oil.
• The prescribed tightening torque of the wheel bolts for steel and light alloy wheels is 120 Nm.
• If the wheel bolts are tightened to an insufficient tightening torque, the rims may come loose when the car is moving – risk of accident! A tightening torque which is too high can damage the bolts and threads and this can result in permanent deformation of the contact surfaces on the rim.
• If the wheel bolts are handled incorrectly, the wheel may come loose when the car is moving – risk of accident!

Edited 6 November, 201312 yr by andrehj